Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
UMKC
Red Raiders Bounce UMKC For Third-Straight Win
February 21, 2015 | Softball
Mattison Maisel earned her first career win Saturday afternoon as the sophomore came on in relief to give Texas Tech 3.1 solid innings in a 9-6 victory over UMKC.
Feb. 21, 2015
The three-game winning streak is the longest of the season for the Red Raiders (8-6), who will close the second day of the UT Arlington Invitational later this evening against Prairie View A&M.
Tech scored four runs in the first inning to put UMKC (8-6) in an early hole as Kierra Miles drove a RBI single to left center and then later scored off a three-run homer from Devon Thomey.
The home run was the third of the season for Thomey, who matched her career high with four RBI after breaking up a 4-4 tie in the fifth with a run-scoring single that landed just inside the left field line. Thomey finished 2-for-4 at the plate for her third multiple-hit game this year and her team-leading fourth multiple-RBI performance.
Thomey was one of three Red Raiders with at least two hits as Miles recorded a 2-for-3 day while Jordan Bettiol went 3-for-4 overall. Bettiol has finished with at least two hits in each of Tech's three games this weekend as she now has a team-leading seven multiple-hit performances this year.
Susan Welborn and Brittany Lee followed Thomey's single in the fifth by driving in runs of their own as Welborn lined an infield single to third base while Lee followed with a sacrifice fly to deep left field.
The offensive performance, Tech's third-straight game with nine or more runs, allowed Mattison Maisel (1-1) to earn her first career victory in the circle as she tossed 3.1 innings in relief of starter Chandler Moore.
Maisel allowed just one run on a Kelsey Goodwin RBI single in the fourth inning, one of just four hits for UMKC off the right-hander. Cara Custer relieved Maisel to start the fifth for her first save of the season.
The save marked the eighth of Custer's career, moving her into a tie for first all-time at Texas Tech with former teammate Gretchen Aucoin (2013-14). Custer allowed two runs off three hits and a pair of strikeouts over the final three innings.
UMKC homered twice in the first inning alone as Katie Kelley drove a solo shot to left field that was followed moments later by a two-run blast from Marlee Maples. Kelley and Maples both finished 3-for-4 to lead the Kangaroos as the duo combined for three RBI.
In addition to her work at the plate, Kelley (3-2) provided UMKC with five innings in a losing effort in the circle. Kelley allowed seven runs off nine hits and five walks before giving way to Amber Grove early in the sixth inning.
First pitch between Texas Tech and Prairie View A&M is slated for a 6 p.m. start at Allan Saxe Field. That game is likely to be delayed because of extended games earlier in the day. Follow @TechGameday on Twitter for updates throughout the evening.
